The Dominican Republic finished their 2016 World Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament beating Rio-bound Korea 3-0 (25-23, 25-11, 28-26).

Tokyo, Japan, May 22, 2016 - The Dominican Republic finished their 2016 World Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament with a flurry, posting a second consecutive win by beating Rio-bound Korea 3-0 (25-23, 25-11, 28-26).

The 19-year-old Brayelin Martinez and libero Brenda Castillo led the way for the Dominicans, who finished the tournament with two wins, while Korea could afford to smile despite losing matches to Thailand and the Dominican Republic in the last two days of competition.

For both teams, Sunday’s match was very much about the future. For the Dominicans, it was with an eye on Tokyo 2020, while for Korea it was much shorter term – fine tuning their line-up for Rio in August.

The Dominican Republic took to the court at full strength, with Brayelin Martinez, Brenda Castillo and Prisilla Brens all on duty, while Korea left Kim Yeon-Koung and Yang Hyo-Jin, their two highest point scorers, on the bench.

Korea led for most of the set, and at 22-18 should have been able to wrap up the set. But the Dominicans fought back to level at 22-all, before wrapping up the set 25-23.

Martinez led all comers with seven points for the set.

The 25-11 scoreline for the second set, said it all. Dominican Republic were out to make an impression and finish on a high, Korea continued to experiment with new combinations.

At 8-6 Korea were close, but the Dominicans strung together the next six points to make it 14-6, and then 21-9 before closing out the set 25-11.

Martinez took her personal points tally to 12, while Yonkaira Isabel was taking advantage of some quality court time with 11 points, while Annerys Valdez had picked up three blocks.

For Korea, Hang Youn-Joo was leading the charge on nine points.

Korea’s young guns came out spoiling for a fight in the third set, and held two set points at 24-22 before Castillo and Martinez combined to put the Caribbean team back on level pegging at 24-all.

An arm wrestle ensued, with Korea squandering another two set point opportunities, before powerful Martinez spikes finally ended the set 28-26, and a second win for the Dominican Republic 25-23, 25-11, 28-26.

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THAILAND PULL OFF STRAIGHT-SET WIN OVER PERU IN THEIR LAST WOQT MATCH

Tokyo, Japan, May 22, 2016 - Determined Thailand completed their World Olympic Qualification Tournament campaign with a bang following a hard-fought 25-17 26-24 25-23 victory over formidable Peru to consolidate fifth place on the ladder.

There were emotional scenes among the Thai players after the match, with the dreams of a first ever Olympics at least another four years away.

Two teams who 24 hours earlier were still in the mix to make the Olympics, had to pick themselves up and go to battle one last time.

Both teams took the court at close to full strength, and it was the Peruvians who held the early advantage to lead 15-13.

In an incredible finish to the set, Thailand won the last eight points to take the score to 25-17, leaving a shattered Peru to try and pick up the pieces.

Much of Thailand strong first set showing was built around successfully shutting down Peru’s number one weapon, 19-year-old opposite Angela Leyva.

Onuma Sittirak with seven points, including two blocks, led the way for Thailand, while Leyva had just four points for Peru. 

The Thai defence continued to dominate in the second set, but Leyva was not to be denied, winning 11 points for the set to take her personal tally to 15.

Captain Mirtha Uribe, after a quiet day against the Netherlands, was back to her best, but Thailand was proving hard to stop.

Setter Pornpun Guedpard was again underlining her importance to the Thai team, her quick hands and lightning thought process providing her teammates with a comfortable ride.

The closing points of the set proved difficult for Thailand, but after giving up one set point it was able to close the deal 26-24.

With the finish line in sight, Thailand were made to work again in the third set. Leyva was continuing to find ways around the solid Thai defence, and Peru’s blocking came finally returned.

Uribe was leading the way with three block points, as Peru slipped out to a 13-11 lead.

Thailand captain Thinkaow Pleumjit took control of the set, helping steer her team into the lead, and holding their nerve in the closing stages, to wrap up the set 25-23 and the match 3-0.

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ITALY SEND KAZAKHSTAN PACKING IN COMFORTABLE STRAIGHT SETS

Tokyo, Japan, May 22, 2016 - Italian teenager Paola Egonu further enhanced her reputation as one of the most exciting young players in women’s volleyball after helping her team to a 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-19) win over Kazakhstan at the World Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The 17-year-old Egonu finished the match with 21 points, while Kazakhstan will go home without a win but plenty of hope for the future.

Two teams at opposite ends of the qualification table not surprisingly took different approaches to the match.

For Kazakhstan it was all about winning their first match, while Italy adopted the same approach as other teams already qualified, and gave chances to players who had not seen a lot of court time in Japan.

As a result a rusty Italian combination took half a set to get going, while Kazakhstan were tighter early. The Asian team held control for the first half, but when Paola Egonu began to find her range, it spelled trouble for Kazakhstan.

Egonu blasted her way to eight points for the set, while for Kazakhstan, Irina Shenberger was enjoying some rare quality court time, finishing the set with seven points.

Italy took the opener 25-22.

At six-all in the second set Kazakhstan were looking competitive, but six straight points to the Italians quickly killed off the challenge. The score blew out, until some late Kazakhstan points made it more respectable at 25-16.

The third set was the last chance for the young Kazakhstan team to make an impact, but after a long week it was a bridge too far. The Italians, cock-a-hoop after qualifying for their fifth straight Olympics, were in no mood for sentiment, running out 25-19 and 3-0 winners.

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JAPAN GIVE THEIR FANS ONE MORE NIGHT OF ECSTASY

Tokyo, Japan, May 22, 2016 - A raucous home crowd has lifted Japan to a gripping 3-2 (20-25, 25-13, 21-25, 32-30, 15-11) win over the Netherlands on the final night of the World Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament.

Both teams could well have been forgiven for hanging their hats back on the peg after locking up Rio spots 24 hours earlier, but instead opted to slug out a five-set epic which left fans almost as exhausted as the players themselves.

It might have been a dead rubber, but it didn’t stop the Japanese fans once again packing the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium to cheer on their Olympic-bound team.

Both teams had found out 24 hours they were Rio bound, making it difficult to lift for one last game after a long, high-pressure week of volleyball.

The Dutch looked the more switched on, controlling the set from the opening, with Lonneke Sloetjes and Celeste Plak providing a power combination that would strike fear in most teams in the world.

Japan rallied late to make the score more respectable, but the Netherlands were never in any real danger of dropping the set once they led 15-7, eventually triumphing 25-20.

The second set could not have been more of a contrast. Japan dominated, helped in no small part by an error-riddled Dutch team (18 to 6 after two sets) and another strong leadership game from captain Saori Kimura (nine points).

Sloetjes was continuing to lead the way for the Netherlands, taking her personal points tally to 13, but the Dutch were struggling in the second; trailing 8-16, 11-22 and eventually 13-25.

One of the exciting aspects of an event such as this one is seeing all the exciting young talent coming through the ranks. The Netherlands’ Celeste Plak is one such player.

The 20-year-old and with a swinging left arm that could knock over a cement statue, Plak has played second fiddle to Sloetjes all week, but when called upon can turn a game.

She was proving important against Japan, picking up 11 points, including three blocks, as well as several important digs.

Somehow the Netherlands managed to win the third set 25-21, despite a mounting error count (22-14 after three sets).

Sloetjes was up to 19 points, while Kimura on 12 and Miyu Nagaoka on 11 were doing best for the home team.

Japan’s volleyball-hungry fans just want to watch the game, and the prospect of seeing their beloved Olympians beaten in four sets was an option they would not entertain – even when the side trailed 16-12.

There’s something about a stadium jam-packed with starry-eyed fans armed with full voices that can lift any sporting team, and in Tokyo on this balmy Sunday evening that was definitely the case.

Soon the game was locked at 18-all. Point-for-point the match pulsated, two Rio-bound teams showing no signs of battle weariness after an intense week of volleyball.

The 24-24, 25-25, 26-26 – first Japan throwing away set points, then the Dutch throwing away match points, until finally, at 31-30, Miyu Nagaoka rifled an ace down the middle of the court that left the Dutch sprawling and the game headed to a fifth and deciding set.

For a game that had every right to be as stale as last week’s bread, this was anything but. The fifth set continued as the fourth ended; point-for-point, a crowd baying for more, and 12 punch-drunk athletes operating off the smell of adrenalin.

The euphoria of the crowd eventually lifted the weary home team over the line against an even more fatigued Netherlands 15-11 in the fifth, and 3-2 for the match.

History will show Japan won the final game of the 2016 Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament 3-2 over the Netherlands. What it won’t show is that despite there being nothing at stake, two teams threw themselves into a match like there was an Olympic gold medal up for grabs.

NETHERLANDS, ITALY, KOREA AND JAPAN BOOK RIO TICKETS

Tokyo, Japan, May 21, 2016  - The four teams to earn tickets for this year’s Olympic Games have all been decided on a dramatic penultimate day at the Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan.

Host nation Japan, fellow Asian team Korea, and European teams Italy and Netherlands all secured their berths for Rio, despite both Japan and Korea losing five-set contests on Saturday.

Italy will go to their fifth consecutive Olympics after beating Japan 3-2 (23-25, 27-25, 27-25, 21-25, 15-9), while Japan will go to a record-equalling 12th Olympics on the strength of the single point their picks up for winning two sets.

The Netherlands were off to their first Olympics in 20 years after beating Peru 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-17), while at the same time ending the Rio hopes of the young South Americans.

The Dutch came into the tournament as one of the favourites, and despite occasional hiccups, showed they will be competitive in Brazil.

The women have not been to an Olympics since 1996. captain Maret Balkestein-Grothues was eight at the time, but only remembers watching the Dutch men win gold.

Earlier, Thailand staged a dramatic comeback to keep their hopes of a first ever Olympics alive, while Korea confirmed as the first team in Japan to qualify for Rio after a dramatic 3-2 (19-25, 22-25, 29-27, 26-24, 15-12) win for Thailand.

The win gave Thailand two points and moved it to nine, at the time two points behind Japan, while Korea were safe on 13 points. It will be Korea’s 11th Olympic Games.

But Thailand were once again left one position short after Japan secured their  point against Italy.

Not for the first time this week Thai fans were kept on the edge of their seats for more than two hours, while their team slipped and slid but, ultimately, held their nerve to post a memorable win.

A world-class performance by libero Brenda Castillo helped Dominican Republic to a 3-1 (25-20, 22-25, 25-12, 25-20) win over Kazakhstan, their first win of the tournament.

Castillo took control of the match in the final set to guide her team to victory in the battle of two winless teams looking for positives to take away from the qualification tournament.

With not much more to play for than pride and maybe a chance to blood some younger players with an eye to Tokyo 2020 it had the potential to be a dour affair.

ITALY, JAPAN LOCK UP FINAL TWO PLACES IN RIO AFER TOUGH FIVE SET CLASH

Tokyo, Japan, May 21, 2016 - Tokyo, Japan, May 22, 2016 - Italy and Japan have both secured their tickets to the 2016 Olympics, after the Europeans beat the host nation 3-2 (23-25, 27-25, 27-25, 21-25, 15-9) in front of an ecstatic crowd in Tokyo.

Italian blocker Cristina Chirichella (15 points, nine blocks) was outstanding for the winners, while Japanese captain Saori Kimura was brilliant with 31 points.

Japanese volleyball fans are very knowledgeable, they knew exactly what their team needed to do against Italy.

It was a situation requiring a captain to stand up, and both did. Saori Kimura was dynamic early in helping her team establish an early lead, and Antonella Del Core worked hard to bring her Italian team back into the contest.

Through Kimura, Yuki Ishii and Miyu Nagaoka Japan pushed out to an 18-13 lead, before Italy’s Martina Guiggi served the visitors into the lead at 19-18.

The remainder of the set was a pulsating affair, ended by Cristina Chirichella serving into the net.

Oh to have a bench player like Paola Egonu at your disposal. Italian coach Marco Bonitta is the fortunate coach to have 17-year-old Egonu at disposal, and he used her perfectly to close out the second set.

Italy had been in control ever since the scores were locked at 7-all, but towards the end of the set, when Italy started to rally and the home crowd found its ample voice, Bonitta swung 190cm Egonu into action.

The results came straight away. Her first action was a ferocious spike; then came another, and another. The Japanese did all they could to curtail her power, but Italy won 27-25. 

Del Core with 11 points was leading the way for Italy, while Kimora had 13 points for Japan. Erika Araki had seven points, four of them from stonewall blocks at the net.

The third set was incredible for so many reasons. Two outstanding individual performances, a gripping and incredibly high standard contest, and at the end Italy had secured their ticket to Rio.

Firstly, Japan should not have lost the set. They led 16-11, and were in complete control. Captain Kimura was playing the game of her life, and Italy looked to be imploding.

But Cristina Chirichella, the best blocker of the competition, shut down the Japanese attack, Egonu continued to torment the Japanese diggers, and Japan panicked.

The final points of the set were breathtaking. The capacity crowd could not believe their team had thrown away a seemingly insurmountable lead to go down 27-25.

There was incredible excitement around the stadium at the end of the fourth set, not just because Japan held on 25-21 to level the match 2-2, but mostly because the result meant the home team would take the final spot on offer for Rio 2016.

The guaranteed point from winning two sets means Thailand’s brave challenge was over.

Kimura continued to dominate for Japan, ably assisted by Opposite Miyu Nagaoka, who won points when they were needed, while Chirichella, Del Core and Egonu were fighting hard for Italy.

With both teams safely off to Rio, the sting went out of the final set. Italy got its groove back after it went missing during the fourth set, and Japan played like one would expect after the emotional relief of securing a spot at their 12th Olympic Games.

Japan took the final set 15-9, not that anyone seemed to notice. Both teams were too busy celebrating booking tickets to Brazil. Fittingly the final point came from a Chirichella block.

THAILAND’S COMEBACK VICTORY OVER KOREA KEEPS THEIR HOPES ALIVE

Tokyo, Japan, May 21, 2016 - Thailand staged a dramatic comeback to keep their hopes of a first ever Olympics alive, while Korea have already been confirmed as the first team in Japan to qualify for the Rio Games.

The hard-fought 3-2 (19-25, 22-25, 29-27, 26-24, 15-12) win gives Thailand two points for an aggregate nine points, two points behind Japan, while Korea have now safe on 13 points.

Not for the first time this week Thai fans were kept on the edge of their seats for nearly three hours, while their team slipped and slid but, ultimately, held their nerves to post a memorable win.

Thailand needed to find something special, but Korea also had a lot on their mind. Knowing a win would lock up an Olympic ticket they was determined to hit their Asian opponents hard.

After opening up an early two point break the Koreans were never headed. Thailand were able to stay in touch until the score reached 13-11, at which stage Korea put together six consecutive points with Kim Yeon-Koung at the service line.

Thailand, once again preferring Pornpun Guedpard as their starting setter, rallied briefly to bring the score back to 17-20, but Korea had all the answers late to lock up the set 25-19.

Kim Hee-Jin was continuing her good form from the previous day with seven first set points, the same as Yeon-Koung, while Thatdao Nuekjang and Ajcharaporn Kongyot led the way for Thailand with four points each.

Yeon-Koung is a problem for any team that comes up against Korea. If you’re lucky, she might be at her best for just half the game.

The problem is, when she’s at her best it’s impossible to try and shut her down. And even though Thailand dominated most of the second set, it was Yeun-Koung who kept her team in the hunt, and ultimately helped steer her side to an unlikely 25-22 result.

Thailand had led since the start of the set, powerful and well directed spiking from Ajcharaporn helping her team to a 3-0, then 10-7, and then 15-12 lead.

Korea fought back to take the lead 16-15, but Thailand settled again to get into a set-winning position at 21-18.

But in what must have brought back memories of the game against Japan, Korea won the next four points to move ahead 22-21, and then sealing the deal to lock up a place at their 11^th Olympic Games.

Thailand desperately needed a confidence boost, and it came in the third set. With setter Pornpun showing cunning and guile on the net, and Malika Kanthong refusing to be intimidated by the Korean wall, Thailand managed to keep their Olympic dream alive.

It almost wasn’t; Thailand again led nearly all of the set, but let Korea back in late. On two occasions they held set points, but gave it up both times.

Korea also held set points twice; they also blew it. Finally, at 28-27, a partial block at the net enabled Thailand to finally close out the set 29-27.

Yeon-Koung had 26 points for Korea, while Onuma Sittirak had 15 for Thailand.

Thailand supporters need a strong constitution. Their team have been giving them a dramatic, nerve-wracking ride this campaign.

The fourth set was another classic example. Thailand led nearly all of the set, let Korea come back from 24-22 to 24-24, then let another set point slip at 25-24 before finally winning 26-24, locking up a certain point that would keep them alive at least until Japan’s game against Italy on Saturday night.

Current captain Pleumjit Thinkaow and former captain Wilavan Apinyapong were the steady hands that helped guide Thailand to the set victory, aided and abetted by some timely setting from Pornpun and formidable blocking from Thatdao.

Onuma was leading the charge for Thailand with 21 points, while Yeon-Koung was leading all comers with 31 points for Korea.

The final set was incredibly tense, and error-riddled. Thailand held control early, but mistake after mistake kept letting the Koreans back into the set.

At 10-12, it looked as though Thailand may have blown their chances away, but they won the next five points over a weary Korea to take the set 15-12, and the match 3-2.

For Korea it was hard to be disappointed, as the single point they received for winning two sets guarantees they will be going to Rio.

And for Thailand the dream is still alive, although it would need Japan to lose their last two matches, against Italy and Netherlands, and then win their final match against Peru to get to their first Olympics.

KOREA COME FROM BEHIND TO BEAT PERU IN DRAMATIC FOUR SETS

Tokyo, Japan, May 20, 2016 - Korea, inspired by an outstanding individual performance from Yang Hyo-Jin, have blocked their way to a hard-fought 3-1 (18-25, 25-22, 25-14, 25-21) win against a brave Peru.

Hyo-Jin was part of a defensive wall that blunted waves after waves of attacks from a Peruvian side which needed to win to improve their chance of Olympic qualification.

Teenager Angela Leyva was outstanding for Peru  in the opening set, not just with her rocket-like spikes, but also her menacing serves and, most importantly, her digging. 19-year-old Leyva was throwing herself around the court like a libero.

Peru’s libero Vanessa Palacios, has considerably enhanced her reputation during the qualifiers, and in the opening set against Korea she took it up another notch.

Captain Mirtha Uribe continued to lead from the front, while Carla Rueda was everywhere, as Peru took an early 6-2 lead and refused to yield, taking out the opening set with a shock 25-18 scoreline.

For Korea, Kim Yeon-Koung was working hard, but without her usual return on the scoreboard, Hyo-Jin finished the set with four points. 

Having shocked their much more fancied opponents in the opening set, Peru picked up in the second set where they left off, moving to an 8-5 lead. But while Leyva was continuing to inspire Peru, 190cm Hyo-Jin was lifting her team back into the match.

Hyo-Jin was in control of the net, blocking (five points) and spiking (six points) to help Korea eventually take back the lead at 18-17, holding on to take the set 25-22 and squaring the match at 1-1.

Leyva had 11 points by the end of the second set, and was receiving strong support from 18-year-old Maguilaura Frias with seven points.

After two sets on auto-pilot, in the third Korea slipped back into the form that has made it one of the form teams of the week, blocking their way to a comfortable 25-14 set win.

The scoreline was built not around the dominance of Kim Yeon-Koung, although she was good, but around the impassable wall Korea built along the net. Once again it was Hyo-Jin who led the way, taking her block tally to seven, and Bae Yoo-Na, with three.

The block count at the end of the third set was 14 to two.

For Peru, libero Palacios continued to impress with her digging, while Leyva took her personal points tally to 18.

Once again Peru started strongly in the fourth set, taking an 8-6 lead before Korea steadied to wrest control at 9-8. The next 15 points were an arm-wrestle, with teams going point-for-point, before Korea steadied to close out the set 25-21 and the match 18-25, 25-22, 25-14, 25-21.

Korea finished with a tournament record-equalling 16 blocks, exactly half of them by the impressive Hyo-Jin, compared to Peru’s three, while Kim Yeon-Koung led the scoring with 19 points.

For Peru, even though the Korean wall was very effective, Leyva continues to show why she is a star of the future, finishing with 23 points. Captain Uribe finished with 11 points in one of her best matches of the tournament so far, and 31-year-old libero Palacios could hold her head high.

Peru’s Olympic chances now hang by a thread, requiring wins against Netherlands and Thailand in their final matches, and for other results to go their way, to book a spot in Rio.

By contrast Korea are now in the box seat to take one of the four tickets up for grabs.

THAILAND OUTCLASS KAZAKHSTAN IN STRAIGHT SETS TO KEEP THEIR OLYMPIC DREAM ALIVE

Tokyo, Japan, May 20, 2016 - The big question was how would Thailand respond to the disappointment of Wednesday night, when they threw away what should have been an unbeatable lead to lose to Japan 2-3.

The first few points indicated it might be a tough task to bounce back, but then the team clicked and returned to the fluency in the earlier tournament.

Coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai once again preferred Pornpun Guedpard to regular setter Nootsara Tomkom but brought opposite Ajcharaporn Kongyot back after consigning her to the bench for most of Wednesday night.

Kazakhstan also brought back their big guns after resting them against Korea on Wednesday, including captain Radmila Beresneva and Kristina Anikonova, but after matching their Thai opponents early, found the going tough, losing the set 25-18.

Kazakhstan started the second set with much more vigour, leading 10-9 at one stage, but then gave up seven consecutive points to trail 10-16 and give up the set.

Nootsara was back for Thailand, and Ajcharaporn was doing her best to prove she belongs on the court always. Kazakhstan was blocking and setting well, but Thailand was proving too quick for the much taller opponents.

Kazakhstan, with their slim chance of Olympic qualification slipping away, put everything into the start of the final set, opening up a 5-2 lead. But once again they were unable to maintain the pressure, and with Thai libero Piyanut Pannoy continuing her outstanding tournament, Thailand were soon back in control, 9-8.

As reality dawned on Kazakhstan the set and the match began to peter out, Thailand eventually won 25-18, 25-19, 25-15, keeping their hopes of qualifying for a first-ever Olympics alive.

Kazakhstan will need to wait another four years to try again. The team have shown they have a solid defence, with their blocking as good as any team competing in Japan this week.

While still winless after five matches, the young and inexperienced team have shown they have the foundations to build themselves into a stronger team for the future. 

Japan beat Thailand 3-2 (20-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13) in a pulsating match lasting nearly three hours.

Tokyo, Japan, May 18, 2016 – Put simply, this was volleyball at its very best. A gripping five-set thriller and a home team victory out of nowhere, one of the most incredible comeback amid drama not even Steven Spielberg would dare imagine. Japan beat Thailand 3-2 (20-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13) in a pulsating match lasting nearly three hours.

Thailand knew it’s chances of qualifying hinged on Wednesday night’s match, and in the first set they played accordingly. They out-jousted, out set, out received and out played the home team from the first point, opening up an early 5-1 lead, and then refusing to buckle when Japan kept climbing back into the set.

At 14-15 Japan took the lead briefly, but Thailand fought back to turn 15-16 into 18-16, and then 21-18, 24-19 and eventually 25-20. The digging of Thailand, led by libero Piyanut Pannoy, was a sight to behold, with wave after wave of Japanese attacks blunted. Setter Nootsara Tomkom was replaced midway through the set, but Pornpun Guedpard proved she is more than a useful replacement for the highly rated Nootsara. And Japan started making errors, and lots of them. By the end of the first set the error count was 11 to five.

The second set was gripping, tense, and incredibly entertaining. It had everything – brilliant rallies (the rally for the 28th point of the set was extraordinary), incredible individual performances, even high drama when the new technology seemed to leave everyone nonplussed! Both teams threw everything at the set, trying to break their opposition in a match that could ultimately decide who goes to the Olympics.

Japanese coach Masayoshi Manabe went for the most experienced team he could possibly muster, including 2012 Olympic star Saori Sakoda (10 points to the end of the second set). Thailand’s head coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai put his neck on the line, throwing 16-year-old Chatchu-On Moksri into the match at a crucial stage, and persisting with second setter, Pornpun. Japan eventually took the set 25-23, setting the scene for a gripping finale.

If the second set was classic volleyball, the third set took the pressure up a notch. Thailand bounced out to take a 4-0 lead, and then 10-6, before Japan climbed back to 11-9 off the back of some breathtaking work from Sakoda and Yuki Ishii. With another capacity crowd mostly roaring on the home team (there was a solid pocket of very vocal Thai supporters in the crowd) Thailand coach Kiattipong held his nerve, persevered with Chatchu-On, and his judgment was rewarded when his team blew the lead back out to 17-12. But the Japanese were not done with, and incredibly fought their way back to 18-19, and then 20-all, before the visitors pulled away to take the set 25-23.

Captain Pleumjit Thinkaow was inspirational for Thailand, leading the points tally with 16, including three blocks and a service ace, while Sakoda could boast identical personal statistics for Japan. Japan’s problem after three sets, besides being behind on the scoreboard, was they weren’t scoring enough points off their serve. They hadn’t registered a single service ace, while Thailand had six.

Could it get any more pulsating? Emphatically, yes. Japan threw everything at their Thai opponents early in the fourth, opened up an 8-4 lead, and then 14-10 before the gripping climax. Thailand turned a 17-19 deficit into a 21-19 lead, Japan scraped back to 21-all, and when Sakoda spiked to close the set out 25-23 the roar from the crowd threatened to blow the roof of the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

The match was off to a fifth set, the first five setter of the week, and befitting of the epic duel that had been unfolding for more than two hours. The fifth set, by any measure, was one of the most incredible sets of volleyball most fans will ever see. Thailand had the match, and possibly a ticket to Rio, wrapped up at 9-3. But what unfolded next was one of the most amazing self-destructions in sport. With all the momentum, the Thai team and their coaching bench somehow managed to concoct a way to lose the unlosable set.

The ill-discipline brought with it a heavy price for Thailand; the first red card came when they were leading 12-7. But instead of concentrating on sealing the game, the team became distracted and continued to argue with officials. The second red card was inevitable; it came when Thailand was trailing 12-13, and virtually gifted the match to Japan.

For the hosts, Saori Sakoda was incredible all night, finishing with a game-high 24 points, while Thailand captain Pleumjit Thinkaow led the way for the visitors with 21 points.

The tears the Thai players cried as they left the court told the story; the chance to go to their very first Olympics had been dealt a severe blow.

THAILAND’S WILAVAN DETERMINED TO PUT OLYMPIC DESTINY IN OWN HANDS

Tokyo, Japan, May 16, 2016 - Walking back into the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium this week brought back strong memories for several members of the Thailand women’s volleyball team, especially former captain Wilavan Apinyapong.

Not good memories. Memories of four years ago, when they had their dream of a first ever Olympics snuffed out by an incredible final match between hosts Japan and Serbia that turned the dream into a nightmare.

The match ended with Serbia beating Japan 3-2, the only result and scoreline that would guarantee both Japan and Serbia went to London, and Thailand missed out.

The Thai captain at the time was Wilavan, and she spoke this week of the anger her team felt, mostly for getting themselves into a position where their fate could be decided by others.

“I think about what happened, but I think it is a good thing,” she said. “We were angry, but only for a short time. Then we knew, if we can win two times or three times more than we did four years ago, then we can go.

“We were angry about ourselves because we did not do our best.”

Missing out on an Olympics by such a small margin breaks the heart of any athlete, and for the Thai team it was no difference.

But once you feel the pain, it makes an athlete more determined to avoid getting into that situation again.

“For me I remember all the time about the past four years, it is very sad for me,” Wilavan said. “But I continued to fight so I could play this year. The last four years have been very bad for us, but if we can go to the Olympics this year it will be the opposite.”

Thailand has started their quest for Rio positively, beating Dominican Republic in their opener before losing to Italy 3-1.

The next two games will be crucial if Thailand want to be masters of their own destiny this week. Wins against The Netherlands on Tuesday and Korea on Wednesday would put them in a very strong position to be one of the four teams to go to Rio.

“For our team this week every game is important, but we think about them one-by-one,” Wilavan said.

“We talk about the Games a lot, because my dream is to experience the joy of an Olympics. This year, some of my team-mates and I are very old, so for the next Olympics may be difficult for us, so we hope this year will be the year.

“I feel excited, but our staff keep telling us we have to control our excitement. We can’t get too excited because it is not so good for the players during the game.”

The 31-year-old Wilavan has been a part of the national team for more than a decade, and said the sense of expectation among Thai fans was exciting and lifting her team. 

Volleyball is a major sport in Thailand, and finally breaking through to an Olympic Games will no doubt result in partying in the streets.

“For our team we have many fans in Thailand,” she said. “If we can get to the Olympics it will be very important for Thai people. This is not only our dream, it is the dream of all Thai people.”

Thailand takes on The Netherlands on Tuesday afternoon

Iran, Japan shared top honour in AVC Continental Cup Semi-finals in Thailand

Kalasin, Thailand, May 14, 2016 - Iran powered past China to clinch the men’s team title as Japan stamped their authority following their scintillating win over Indonesia in the women’s team showdown in the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup Semi-finals in Kalasin on Saturday.

In the men’s showdown, Iran fielded the first team consisting of formidable Bahman Salemi/Rahman Raoufi to be pitted against China 1’s Li Jian/Li Zhuoxin. After the Iranians took the first set with ease 21-10, the Chinese stormed back gallantly to win the second set 21-18. The decider was won by the Iranians, who came out with superb form to beat the rivals 15-10 for the eventual 2-1 win in the first encounter. Iran led 1-0 initially.

The second rubber turned out to be the same script as it was ended 2-1 but in different fashions. This time, The Iranian duo of Bahman Gholipoury/Aadolhamed Mirzaali started poorly to go down 15-21 in the first set. They eventually found their touch to capture the remaining two sets 21-19 17-15 for the 2-1 win in the match.

With the impressive 2-0 win, Iran reigned supreme in the men’s team event, with China in second place. However, both teams have qualified for the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup Finals in Cairns, Australia in June.

The third-place playoff earlier saw Oman beat hosts Thailand 2-0.

In the women’s final, Japan still proved that they are the strongest as they brushed off Indonesia 2-0 for the crown.

In the first match, Takemi Nishibori/Sayaka Mizoe combined well to outclass Indonesians Dhita Juliana/Putu Utami 21-15 21-19 to put Japan in front 1-0. In the second match, Miki Ishii/Megumi Murakami were just devastating as they pulled off a one-sided 21-12 21-9 win over Indonesians Desi Ratnasari/Eka Yoked Purarlurari.

The straight two-match win handed Japan the title, while Indonesia picked up silver medal. However, both teams also paraded to the next month’s AVC Continental Cup Finals in Australia.

Also joining Japan and Indonesia to the Finals were Chinese Taipei, which overpowered New Zealand 2-1 in the third-place playoff. Julia Tilley/Alice Bain got New Zealand off to a great start with a 2-0 (21-15 21-19) win over Liu Pi Hsin/Chang Ya Chu to give the Kiwis a 1-0 lead.

Nonetheless, Chinese Taipei hit back to win two straight matches including the Liu Pi Hsin/Kou Nai Han’s 21-19 21-16 victory over Julia Tilley/Alice Bain in the decider.

Saturday’s results

Men’s team

Third place playoff: Oman b Thailand 2-0

Al Shereiqi Haitham/Al Subhi Badar (Oman 1) b Adisorn Khaolumtan/Prathiip Sukto (Thailand 1) 2-1 (13-21 21-18 15-10)

Ahmed Al-Housni/Nouh Al-Jalbubi (Oman 2) b Sedtawat Padsawud/Nuttanon Inkiew (Thailand 2) 2-0 (21-15 21-12)

Gold medal: Iran b China 2-0

Bahman Salemi/Rahman Raoufi (Iran 1) b Li Jian/Li Zhuoxin (China 1) 2-1 (21-10 18-21 15-11)

Bahman Gholipoury/Aadolhamed Mirzaali (Iran 2) b Bao Jian/Ha Likejiang (China 2) 2-1 (15-21 21-19 17-15)

Women’s team

Third place playoff: Chinese Taipei b New Zealand 2-1

Julia Tilley/Alice Bain (New Zealand 1) b Liu Pi Hsin/Chang Ya Chu (Chinese Taipei 1) 2-0 (21-15 21-19)

Wu Shu Fen/Kou Nai Han (Chinese Taipei 2) b Melissa Ruru/Shannen Bagge (New Zealand 2) 2-0 (21-17 22-20)

Liu Pi Hsin/Kou Nai Han (Chinese Taipei) b Julia Tilley/Alice Bain (New Zealand) 2-0 (21-19 21-16)

Gold medal: Japan b Indonesia 2-0

Takemi Nishibori/Sayaka Mizoe (Japan 1) b Dhita Juliana/Putu Jasita Utami (Indonesia 1) 2-0 (21-15 21-19)

Miki Ishii/Megumi Murakami (Japan 2) b Desi Ratnasari/Eka Yokebed Purarlurari (Indonesia 2) 2-0 (21-12 21-9)

FINAL RANKINGS

MEN’S TEAM

1. Iran                     ………….qualified for the Finals in Australia

2. China                  …………qualified for the Finals in Australia

3. Oman

4. Thailand

5. Chinese Taipei, Cook Islands

WOMEN’S TEAM

1. Japan                     ……… qualified for the Finals in Australia

2. Indonesia               ……….qualified for the Finals in Australia

3. Chinese Taipei       ………..qualified for the Finals in Australia

4. New Zealand

5. Sri Lanka